OCR Text |
Show im m "'Win Portrait of an American: After the last war, an American army officer stated that it was a tragic error not to force Germany to fight a decisive battle on its own soil. He believed that the Germans would interpret the armistice as a tactical victory, saving them from disaster, and begin preparations for another war. The army officer pointed point-ed out: "The Germans must be beaten on their own ground. Their own fatherland must be conquered and their military spirit broken before be-fore they will settle down as a peaceful peace-ful people." ... Of course, his convictions con-victions turned out to be correct . . . Gen. Eisenhower. Eisenhower's amazing foresight cannot be overestimated. One of his biographers spins the following yarn to illustrate that attribute: One day when the General was not so prominent prom-inent he arrived at Abilene, Kansas, and sputtered with indignation. He had just gotten off a train, which must have been full of isolationists. He was boiling mad over the apathy of our people. He said people ought to learn what the hell was going on; that Japan had been preparing for war for ten years and was going to jump on us one of these days. The general's mother named him Dwight because she disliked the shortening of boys' names. It annoyed an-noyed her when her son Arthur was called Art and her son Edgar was called Ed. She believed there was no short cut for Dwight. . . . However, How-ever, when Dwight grew up, he was nicknamed Dee. . . . But the grand lady disclaims all knowledge of the nickname. When anyone asks her about Ike she blandly asks: "Ike? Who's Ike?" Gen. Eisenhower never made any secret of the fact that he despises bigotry. And it mnst never be forgotten that the first Eisenhowers to come to America Amer-ica were refugees. They came here to escape religious persecution persecu-tion in Germany. . . . Eisenhower's Eisen-hower's glorious contribution to preserving our liberty is the most lethal reply to the bigots who would deny refugees the right to seek asylum in the U. S. A. . . . America would never have the aid of his great leadership if his forefathers weren't allowed to enter America. Amer-ica. Seemingly insignificant events in the lives of great men play vital roles in world history. Eisenhower was anxious to go to Annapolis. But because he was a few months over age he decided to become a West Pointer. Among little known facts about Eisenhower is that he is a handy man with a skillet. He enjoys concocting con-cocting tasty dishes for friends. Of course, his best culinary job was cooking-the Nazi goosestep. Before Elsenhower left for Europe to take up his duties as Allied Supreme Su-preme Commander, he said to Gen. Marshall: "General, I haven't had time to thank you yet." Marshall replied: "Don't try to thank me. You go over and do the job and we'll have cause to thank you." Fen-portraits about Gen. Bee always Include this yarn: Some years ago when he was on duty in Panama he casually remarked re-marked to a friend: "This is a fine day to have your appendix removed." . . . Asked whether it had been troubling him, he replied: "No, I don't even know I have an appendix, but it might rear up and put me out of action some time when things aren't so quiet." Elsenhower's knack of inspiring the feeling of comradeship with the men who worked and fought with him made the Allies an unbeatable team. His informality is a priceless asset of his leadership. Frixample, when the Allies invaded Africa he sent this note to Gen. Patton: "Dear Georgie: Algiers has been ours for two days. Oran defenses crumbling rapidly with Navy shore batteries surrendering. Only tough nut to crack is in your hand. Crack it open quickly. (Signed) Ike." , , . Patton did just that. The general's history - making deeds speak most eloquently of his devotion to America. But when asked about his views on democracy, democ-racy, he answered succinctly: "Democracy? "De-mocracy? Look what it has done for me. Took me off a Kansas farm; gave me the best education in the world; gave me a chance to make a career for myself." One of Eisenhower's strongest and most appealing characteristics characteris-tics is his deep and sincere humility. hu-mility. When his home town, Abilene, was celebrating "Eisenhower "Eisen-hower Day" some time ago, he sent this cable to his fellow citizens citi-zens there: "If you folks try to high-hat me and call me by titles instead of Dwight when I come home, I shall feel like a stranger. The worst part of military rank is its loneliness. I wish I could be home with the old gang at the cafe!" |